Future of Zone Initiative
still at bargaining

UTD and MDCPS representatives continued negotiations (March 7) over changes to the Zone Initiative which is scheduled to conclude its 3-year run at the end of the 2007-2008 school year.

One significant change to the current Zone was that the district offered to pay teachers their daily rate for the 5 days extending the year at the beginning of the school year. Their first proposal was $175 per day.  UTD representatives said that was not acceptable. 

Since that session, a subcommittee met to write transfer language that would be preferred at the next bargaining session. It would allow teachers in newly created Zone schools wishing to transfer to be facilitated by a joint committee from UTD and the district through a special transfer process.
Teachers in current Zone schools that are not designated for the new Zone program will be able to transfer using the current transfer procedure.

The district is considering 12 schools to comprise the new Zone. They have so far only identified 1 elementary school and the rest will be secondary - middle and senior high schools.

Summary of what is currently on the table: 

-  Elementary school(s) only will have an extended day by one hour.

-  Secondary schools will work a regular school day.

-  Elementary and secondary schools will begin the school year 5 days earlier than other teachers and will be paid their daily rate. During these 5 days they will participate in school site and district designed PD.

-  All teachers in the Zone will be required to participate in 7 days of PD - the first 5 days and the 2 PD days designated in the calendar as PD days.

-  Principals at secondary schools will be encouraged to provide as many of their teachers as possible with extra teaching period supplements for teachers who work with low performing students in remediation activities.

-  There will be a retention bonus for teachers in new Zone schools, the amount of which has not yet been determined.

There have been no discussions as to the compensation for the extended workday or for the retention bonus. 

A date has not been scheduled for the next bargaining session.  Stay informed by visiting UTD's website for regular updates.  

If you have any questions, contact Randy Biro at randy@utofd.com or Joe Minor at joe@utofd.com


UTD/MDCPS Proposals and Counterproposals

Previous Bargaining Sessions:

-  Revised Counter Proposals presented (February 28, 2009)
-  Some progress made at Zone Bargaining (February 22, 2008)
-  UTD returns to bargaining table on future of Zone schools (February 15, 2008)
-  Zone Bargaining continues for 08-09 Zone replacement initiative (February 11, 2008)
-  Zone Initiative ends, new concept discussed for 08-09 (February 4, 2008)

Brought to you by the members of United Teachers of Dade
 through Collective Bargaining.